Specifications

August 2018 xcore ascend
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MI Wall Seal – personnel protective equipment (PPE) – tape measure – straight edge or framers square – pencil –
guillotine floor cutter – utility knife with straight blades – level – 1/8-inch or 1/4-inch paint roller for smooth surfaces –
workbench – low-grab masking tape – wall roller – stirring stick and tray – Infrared thermometer and camera phone.
Surface Preparation
The wall must be structurally sound and smooth, without any ridges. Regarding flatness, test any areas of concern using
a 2-ft. straight edge placed at any point or direction on the wall. Nowhere on the wall shall have a void or gap underneath
the straight edge greater than 1/4-inch. If it does, then have the void filled / repaired first. The surface of the wall must be
cleaned to remove all contaminants like grease, dust, and dirt. The MI Wall Seal must be applied following the directions
on the label. Using the low-grab masking tape, first, protect areas that do not require the MI Wall Seal, then apply a thin
and even (smooth) coat with the 1/8-inch or 1/4-inch nap paint roller. Remove the masking tape immediately and allow to
dry, for at least 60 minutes.
Use a wide paint scraper, drywall knife, flat trowel or similar and lightly back-trowel the MI Wall Seal to remove any debris
or imperfections.
Layout
Follow any design plans if provided or have your design approved first. Carefully plan where your starting lines are
located, avoiding small cuts at the perimeters. Using a level and a pencil, mark your starting line on the wall. Typically
this should be at or near the center of the area.
Installation
Peel off the release paper from the back of the tile/plank and apply a small amount (~ ½ pea size) of “Original Gorilla
Glue” (available from home improvement stores) to every other hole plus all corners. Do not overfill as the glue will
expand during the curing process.
Carefully position the tile/plank following your start lines and then press firmly into place. Continue this process following
either your start line or previously installed tiles.
Note: if any “Original Gorilla Glue” oozes out of a seam though over application or is spilled onto the surface of the tile,
then it must be allowed to fully cure and then scraped off using a blunt instrument so as not to damage the surface of the
tile/plank.
Cutting
Measure, cut and install the perimeter cuts as you go using a suitable guillotine style flooring cutter or a framers metal
square (or similar) with a sharp utility knife.
Note: Keep your hands and body away from the direction of the blade to avoid cutting yourself in the event of a slip. Cut
through the top layer of product, scoring the cement fiberboard core. Bend the xcore ascend
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tile or plank downwards
(away from the surface) until it snaps along your cut. Using a utility knife with a sharp blade, cut through the backing and
trim off any burr if required. Continue with the installation until complete.
Grouting
Grouting seams are optional. If desired, use Mapei Flexcolor CQ Acrylic Premixed grout (available from your local
distributor). Follow the written application instructions from Mapei and allow to dry prior to use.
Note: The performance warranties of Mapei products remain with the manufacturer.
Accessories
If required, cover any cut or unfinished edges using the xcore ascend™ Edge Trims and Multi-function Angles. To
install these, simply cut to size and stick into place using Liquid Nails or similar.
Note: Painters tape may be required to hold the trim in the correct position until the adhesive has cured.
Finish
Clean up all debris, take photographs and have the end user sign a “Job Completion Ticket”.